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List of places of worship in Mid Sussex facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Mid Sussex is a district in West Sussex, England. It's home to many towns and villages like Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead. This area has over 110 places where people can worship. Most of these are churches, but there are also mosques and other religious buildings. Some of these buildings are very old and have a lot of history!

Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield (IoE Code 302923)
Cuckfield's Holy Trinity Church is one of several amazing old churches in Mid Sussex.

Many of these places of worship are "listed buildings." This means they are officially recognized as having special architectural or historical importance. It's like being on a special list to protect them! There are three levels of listed status:

  • Grade I: These are buildings of "exceptional interest," meaning they are super important.
  • Grade II*: These are "particularly important buildings" that are more than just special.
  • Grade II: These are buildings of "special interest."

Most Christian churches in Mid Sussex belong to the Diocese of Chichester (for Anglican churches) or the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton (for Roman Catholic churches).

Who Lives Here? Religious Beliefs

In 2021, a survey (called a census) showed that 152,569 people lived in Mid Sussex. Here's how they identified their religious beliefs:

  • Christians: About 47.92% of people said they were Christian. This is a bit higher than the average for all of England.
  • No Religion: About 42.08% said they had no religious affiliation. This is also higher than the average for England.
  • Other Religions: Smaller numbers of people identified as Muslim (1.21%), Hindu (1.03%), Buddhist (0.38%), Jewish (0.21%), and Sikh (0.1%). These numbers are generally lower than the average for England.
  • Not Stated: About 6.34% of people chose not to say what their religion was.

How Churches Are Organized

Anglican churches in Mid Sussex are part of the Diocese of Chichester. This diocese has a main church called a cathedral in Chichester. The churches are grouped into smaller areas called "deaneries."

For example:

  • The Rural Deanery of Cuckfield includes churches in Haywards Heath, Ardingly, Balcombe, Cuckfield, and many other villages.
  • The Rural Deanery of East Grinstead covers churches in East Grinstead, Ashurst Wood, Copthorne, and Turners Hill.
  • The Rural Deanery of Hurst includes churches in Burgess Hill, Hurstpierpoint, and nearby villages like Albourne and Clayton.

Roman Catholic churches in Mid Sussex are part of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, which has its cathedral in Arundel. For instance, the church in Haywards Heath is linked with churches in Horsted Keynes and Staplefield. Burgess Hill has its own Roman Catholic church.

Amazing Places of Worship in Mid Sussex

Mid Sussex is home to many beautiful and historic places of worship. Here are a few examples:

  • St Bartholomew's Church, Albourne: This Anglican church has parts that are over 800 years old! It was rebuilt in 1853, but still has ancient features like a medieval font.
  • St Peter's Church, Ardingly: Founded in the late 1000s, this church was rebuilt around 1350 in a fancy style called Decorated Gothic.
  • St Mary's Church, Balcombe: This small stone church has an ancient tower and a unique octagonal spire.
  • St Mary Magdalene's Church, Bolney: This church started in the 1100s and has had many parts added over the centuries, including a tower in 1538.
  • St John the Evangelist's Church, Burgess Hill: Built in 1863, this church has a tall spire and is made of red, yellow, and black bricks.
  • St John the Baptist's Church, Clayton: This very old church has amazing 12th-century wall paintings that are unique in England!
  • Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield: Most of this church was built between 1250 and 1340. Its thin, shingled spire is the oldest part.
  • St Swithun's Church, East Grinstead: This church was rebuilt in 1789 after the original fell apart. It features beautiful stained glass.
  • St Wilfrid's Church, Haywards Heath: Built in the 1860s, this church has a tall tower with 11 bells and stained glass showing soldiers from World War I.
  • Mid Sussex Islamic Centre, Haywards Heath: This building has a long history, starting as a Congregational chapel, then an Anglican church, and even a Scout hut before becoming a mosque in 2010.
  • St Giles' Church, Horsted Keynes: This church dates back to the 1100s and 1200s, with a tall, narrow spire and beautiful stained glass.
  • Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint: Rebuilt in the 1840s, this large church has Flemish-style stained glass and a 13th-century font.
  • All Saints Church, Lindfield: Mostly from the 1300s, this church has a tall shingled spire at its west end.
  • Holy Trinity Church, Poynings: Built around 1370, this church has stained glass from the 1400s and a window from Chichester Cathedral.
  • Church of the Transfiguration, Pyecombe: This church, dating from around 1170, has a unique "Tapsel gate" in its churchyard, which is only found in Sussex.
  • St Mary's Church, Slaugham: This church from the 1100s and 1200s has a square font made of local marble that is as old as the building itself.
  • St Peter's Church, Twineham: This church was built entirely of brick in the 1500s, which was very early for a brick church!
  • Abbey Church of our Lady Help of Christians, Worth Abbey: This modern Roman Catholic church, built from the 1960s onwards, is the largest church in Sussex, able to hold 1,400 people.

Places of Worship That Have Changed

Some buildings that were once places of worship in Mid Sussex are now used for other purposes. This shows how communities change over time.

  • St John the Evangelist's Church, Ansty: This small chapel, built in 1879, was used as an Anglican mission church but is now a house.
  • Ardingly Congregational Fellowship Church: This red-brick chapel, built in 1885, was once a busy place of worship but is now a wellbeing centre.
  • Providence Chapel, Bolney: Built in 1858, this Baptist chapel was used for worship until 1962 and is now a house.
  • Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, Burgess Hill: This chapel, built in 1875, was converted into flats in 1999.
  • Cuckfield United Reformed Church: Originally a Congregational chapel from the 1820s, this building became an office in 1979.
  • Priory of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Haywards Heath: This beautiful building, built for nuns between 1886 and 1898, was also Haywards Heath's first Roman Catholic church. It is now a restaurant.
  • St Luke's Church, Hurstpierpoint: This Roman Catholic church, which started as two cottages converted in 1925, closed around 2020.
  • St Andrew's Church, Warninglid: This church, built in 1935, was sold for residential use in 2009.

See also

Images for kids

  • St Bartholomew's Church, Albourne (from Southeast)

    St Bartholomew's Church, Albourne

  • Gospel Hall, Albourne

    Brethren's Gospel Hall, Albourne

  • St. Peter's, Ardingly

    St Peter's Church, Ardingly

  • St Dunstan's Church (Current), Ashurst Wood

    St Dunstan's Church, Ashurst Wood

  • Balcombe parish church

    St Mary's Church, Balcombe

  • Bolney church tower

    St Mary Magdalene's Church, Bolney

  • Bolney Village Chapel

    Bolney Village Chapel

  • St. John the Evangelist's church, Burgess Hill

    St John the Evangelist's Church, Burgess Hill

  • St. Andrew's Church, Burgess Hill

    St Andrew's Church, Burgess Hill

  • St. Edward the Confessor's church, Burgess Hill

    St Edward the Confessor's Church, Burgess Hill

  • Mid Sussex Christian Centre, Burgess Hill

    Centre Church (Mid-Sussex Christian Centre), Burgess Hill

  • Gateway Baptist Church, Burgess Hill

    Gateway Baptist Church, Burgess Hill

  • King's Church Mid-Sussex, Victoria Road, Burgess Hill

    King's Church Mid-Sussex, Burgess Hill

  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Victoria Road, Burgess Hill (September 2012)

    Kingdom Hall, Burgess Hill

  • Burgess Hill Methodist Church

    Burgess Hill Methodist Church

  • Former Plymouth Brethren Chapel, Lower Church Road, Burgess Hill

    Burgess Hill Community Mosque

  • Oakmeeds Gospel Hall (Brethren), Ash Way, Burgess Hill

    Oakmeeds Gospel Hall, Burgess Hill

  • Brethren meeting room, Burgess Hill

    Brethren Meeting Room, Burgess Hill

  • St Wilfrid's RC Church, Station Road, Burgess Hill

    St Wilfrid's Church, Burgess Hill

  • Salvation Army Hall, Burgess Hill

    Salvation Army Citadel, Burgess Hill

  • All Saints URC Church, Burgess Hill

    All Saints Church, Burgess Hill

  • Claychurch1

    St John the Baptist's Church, Clayton

  • St John the Evangelist's Church, Copthorne (August 2016) (2)

    St John the Evangelist's Church, Copthorne

  • Copthorne Chapel, Copthorne (August 2016) (2)

    Copthorne Chapel

  • All Saints Church, Crawley Down

    All Saints Church, Crawley Down

  • Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield (IoE Code 302923)

    Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield

  • Cuckfield Baptist Chapel

    Cuckfield Baptist Church

  • St Swithun's Church, East Grinstead (from Liturgical SE)

    St Swithun's Church, East Grinstead

  • St Barnabas Church, East Grinstead

    St Barnabas' Church, East Grinstead

  • St Mary the Virgin Church, East Grinstead (2)

    St Mary the Virgin Church, East Grinstead

  • West Street Baptist Church, East Grinstead

    West Street Baptist Church, East Grinstead

  • Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall, East Grinstead

    Kingdom Hall, East Grinstead

  • Trinity Methodist Church, East Grinstead

    Trinity Methodist Church, East Grinstead

  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, East Grinstead

    Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, East Grinstead Chapel

  • Our Lady & St Peter's Church, East Grinstead

    Our Lady and St Peter's Church, East Grinstead

  • Moat United Reformed Church, East Grinstead

    Moat United Reformed Church, East Grinstead

  • All Saints Church, Handcross

    All Saints Church, Handcross

  • Zoar Strict Baptist Chapel, Handcross

    Zoar Strict Baptist Chapel, Handcross

  • St Francis of Assisi Church, Hassocks

    St Francis of Assisi's Church, Hassocks

  • Hassocks United Reformed Church

    Hassocks United Reformed Church

  • St Wilfrid's, Haywards Heath

    St Wilfrid's Church, Haywards Heath

  • St Richard's Church, Haywards Heath

    St Richard's Church, Haywards Heath

  • Church of the Ascension, Haywards Heath

    Church of the Ascension, Haywards Heath

  • Church of the Presentation, Haywards Heath

    Church of the Presentation, Haywards Heath

  • Haywards Heath Baptist Church

    Haywards Heath Baptist Church

  • Jireh Strict Baptist Chapel, Haywards Heath

    Jireh Strict Baptist Chapel, Haywards Heath

  • Haywards Heath Evangelical Free Church

    Christ Church, Haywards Heath

  • Haywards Heath Methodist Church

    Haywards Heath Methodist Church

  • St Edmund's Hall (Former Chapel), Haywards Heath

    Mid Sussex Islamic Centre, Haywards Heath

  • Franklynn Gospel Hall, Haywards Heath

    Franklynn Gospel Hall, Haywards Heath

  • Kents Road Evangelical Church, Haywards Heath

    Kents Road Christian Meeting Hall, Haywards Heath

  • St Paul's Church (RC), Haywards Heath

    St Paul's Church, Haywards Heath

  • Haywards Heath United Reformed Church

    Haywards Heath United Reformed Church

  • All Saints Church, Highbrook (IoE Code 302817)

    All Saints Church, Highbrook

  • St Giles' Church, Horsted Keynes (NHLE Code 1025684)

    St Giles' Church, Horsted Keynes

  • Horsted Keynes 3

    Horsted Keynes Mission Hall

  • Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint (IoE Code 302614)

    Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint

  • Evangelical Church, Hurstpierpoint

    Hurstpierpoint Evangelical Church

  • Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church

    Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church

  • St Cosmas and St Damian Church, Keymer

    St Cosmas and St Damian Church, Keymer

  • St Edward the Confessor's RC Church, Keymer

    St Edward the Confessor's Church, Keymer

  • All Saints Church, Lindfield (NHLE Code 1025462)

    All Saints Church, Lindfield

  • Lindfield Evangelical Free Church, Lindfield

    Lindfield Evangelical Free Church

  • Lindfield United Reformed Church, Lindfield

    Lindfield United Reformed Church

  • Newtimber church

    St John the Evangelist's Church, Newtimber

  • Holy Trinity Church, Poynings (377056 93b792bb)

    Holy Trinity Church, Poynings

  • Pyecombe parish church

    Church of the Transfiguration, Pyecombe

  • Christ Church, Sayers Common

    Christ Church, Sayers Common

  • St Augustine of Canterbury's Church, Scaynes Hill

    St Augustine of Canterbury Church, Scaynes Hill

  • Scaynes Hill Strict Baptist Church (Geograph Image 1947775 d0f8d55f)

    Scaynes Hill Strict Baptist Chapel

  • St Mary's church, Slaugham

    St Mary's Church, Slaugham

  • Staplefield Church

    St Mark's Church, Staplefield

  • Our Lady of Fatima Church (RC), Staplefield

    Our Lady of Fatima Church, Staplefield

  • St. Leonard's Church, Turners Hill (862099 20bb91f5)

    St Leonard's Church, Turners Hill

  • Turners Hill Free Church

    Turners Hill Free Church

  • Twineham church

    St Peter's Church, Twineham

  • St Margaret's Church, West Hoathly (IoE Code 302844)

    St Margaret's Church, West Hoathly

  • St Dunstan's RC Chapel, West Hoathly

    St Dunstan's Church, West Hoathly

  • Worth Abbey, geograph

    Abbey Church of our Lady Help of Christians, Worth Abbey

  • Former St John's Chapel, Ansty

    Former St John the Evangelist's Church, Ansty

  • Congregational church, Ardingly

    Former Ardingly Congregational Fellowship Church, Ardingly

  • St Dunstan's Church (Former), Ashurst Wood

    Former St Dunstan's Church, Ashurst Wood

  • Balcombe United Reformed Church

    Former Balcombe United Reformed Church

  • Providence Chapel, Bolney

    Former Providence Chapel, Bolney

  • Former Chapel at Brook Street, West Sussex (Geograph Image 1470755)

    Former All Saints Church (Brook Street Mission Church), Brook Street

  • Cherry Tree Centre

    Former St Alban's Mission Hall, Burgess Hill

  • Former Mission Chapel, Valebridge Road, Burgess Hill

    Former World's End Mission Hall, Burgess Hill

  • Former Providence Chapel, Burgess Hill

    Former Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, Burgess Hill

  • Former Crawley Down Methodist Chapel

    Former Crawley Down Methodist Chapel

  • Former Providence Chapel, Cuckfield

    Former Cuckfield United Reformed Church

  • Former Christian Science Church, East Grinstead

    Former First Church of Christ, Scientist, East Grinstead

  • Former Gospel Protestant Mission Hall, East Grinstead

    Former Gospel Protestant Mission Hall, East Grinstead

  • Former Quaker Friends Meeting House, Railway Approach, East Grinstead

    Former Friends Meeting House, East Grinstead

  • Former Salvation Army Hall, East Grinstead

    Former Salvation Army Hall, East Grinstead

  • Former Church of the Good Shepherd, Fulking

    Former Church of the Good Shepherd, Fulking

  • Christian Science Church, Haywards Heath

    Former Christian Science Church, Haywards Heath

  • Former Priory of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Haywards Heath

    Former Priory of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Haywards Heath

  • Former Horsted Keynes Strict Baptist Chapel

    Former Horsted Keynes Strict Baptist Chapel

  • Martindale Centre, Horsted Keynes (Former Horsted Keynes Congregational Hall)

    Former Horsted Keynes Congregational Hall

  • St Stephen's RC Church, Horsted Keynes

    Former St Stephen's Church, Horsted Keynes

  • St George's Chapel, Hurstpierpoint

    Former St George's Chapel, Hurstpierpoint

  • Hurstpierpoint Baptist Church

    Former Hope Baptist Chapel, Hurstpierpoint

  • Former Wesleyan Chapel, Manor Road, Hurstpierpoint

    Former Hurstpierpoint Wesleyan Chapel

  • St Luke's Church, Hurstpierpoint

    Former St Luke's Church, Hurstpierpoint

  • Former Church of the Ascension, Pease Pottage

    Former Church of the Ascension, Pease Pottage

  • Former Zion Chapel, Poynings

    Former Zion Strict Baptist Chapel, Poynings

  • Former Congregational Chapel, Pyecombe

    Former Congregational Chapel, Pyecombe

  • Sharpthorne Community Church

    Former Sharpthorne Community Church

  • St Andrew's Church, Warninglid

    Former St Andrew's Church, Warninglid

  • Former Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, West Hoathly

    Former Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, West Hoathly

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List of places of worship in Mid Sussex Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.